BEIJING: A top Chinese leader has promised “unprecedented” economic and societal reforms at the Communist Party’s much anticipated plenum meeting next month, state media reported yesterday. Yu Zhengsheng, the fourth-ranked member in the elite Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party, said the closed-door meeting would “principally explore the issue of deep and comprehensive reforms”.
“The reforms this time will be broad, with major strength, and will be unprecedented,” he said, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
“Inevitably they will strongly push forward profound transformations in the economy, society and other spheres.”
The meeting will mark the third time China’s elite 200-member Central Committee has gathered since a leadership transition last year.
Singapore plan for safe cycling
SINGAPORE: A customised cycle proficiency programme for schools in Tampines was launched yesterday.
Since Tampines was officially declared Singapore’s first model cycling town in 2010, it has improved its cycling infrastructure, stepped up its enforcement of errant cyclists and spread the message of safe cycling through its volunteer cycling wardens.
The children will now pick up the necessary skills to ride safely and responsibly, with the launch of the cycle proficiency programme at Qiaonan Primary School.
The programme will also include a hands-on session to teach children bike handling skills and the importance of following traffic rules.
The programme will be rolled out to all 22 schools in Tampines GRC, and the children are strongly encouraged to attend the programme.
Taiwan officer held over spying
TAIPEI: A Taiwanese air force major has been taken into custody for allegedly leaking confidential information to China, a report said yesterday, in the latest spying scandal to hit Taiwan.
Identified by his family name Hau, the major allegedly sold information obtained from an E-2K early warning aircraft to China for an unspecified amount of money, the United Daily News cited prosecutors as saying.
Prosecutors have stepped up their investigation and suspect the involvement of up to 20 people in the case, the report said, without indicating whether they were civilians or military personnel.
Protest after man’s death
SHANGHAI: Dozens of people protested in the heart of China’s commercial hub Shanghai yesterday after the death of a petitioner following his alleged beating by police.
Around 30 people marched to the main office building of the Shanghai government chanting slogans, under the watchful eye of a dozen uniformed police officers.
A participant said they were protesting over compensation payments for being evicted from their homes, as well as the death of a man named Shen Yong, who was locked in a dispute with the government over the demolition of his house.
Public protests are rare in Shanghai, but the city’s rapid development has caused disputes over demolition of old homes and compensation payments for eviction.
Shanghai police and Shen’s family could not be reached for comment yesterday.
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